HIS HERBARIUM PRESENTED TO A UNIVERSITY. 415 



a visit to Droughsburn, where they found the old man 

 pretty vigorous in mind and body, and happy at seeing 

 them. During that and the following days, the whole of 

 the gatherings of nigh fifty years were brought to light 

 from all the recesses and chests in the old shop, and not a 

 few of them for the first time for many years. These 

 researches showed an immense accumulation of botanical 

 materials, but also sad inroads, by moth and decay, on even 

 the finest and rarest specimens. It was, however, truly 

 surprising how well preserved they had remained as a 

 whole, considering their age and the confined and un- 

 promising circumstances under which they had been kept 

 so long. It was found that, when properly selected and 

 arranged, they would form a collection not unworthy of the 

 knowledge and enthusiasm that had gathered them, and 

 the University to which they would be presented. His 

 friends expressed their gratification to the old botanist, and 

 thus increased his joy, which he expressed in a way child- 

 like in its reality and beautiful to see. 



James Taylor returned home that evening, after seeing 

 all things put in order for their transfer. John was too 

 exhausted with the labours and excitements of the day to 

 accompany his friend along the burn side, but deputed that 

 office to the younger man. John shook hands warmly with 

 his guest in the doorway, being evidently much affected ; 

 and they parted for what proved to be the last time. John 

 then lay down to rest, and rose refreshed when John Taylor 

 returned from seeing his friend off to Aberdeen. After 

 entering the shop, where John received him, he was 

 surprised and pouched when the old man went to one of his 

 chests, and taking his copy of Dickie's "Flora," impressively 



